It has been important to measure the wake distribution within a propeller disc for the evaluation of a hull form through the flow phenomena around the hull, and, in consequence, the wake measurement has been actively executed as a routine test. It has been also important for a naval architect to proceed the initial design for which some behaviours of a propeller in non-uniform wake and their troublesome effects on a ship should be taken into consideration. The author presents a practical method to analyse and compile the experimental records of wake distribution and to be useful for the initial design of hull form and propeller. The method consists of three parts; (1) how to axially convert the tangential component of wake through the advance coefficient of propeller. (2) how to macroscopically analyze the wake distribution through some indices which are obtained form the maximum, minimum and mean values in the circumferential variation of wake, and (3) how to microscopically analyze the wake distribution through Fourier analysis. The method will serve to recognize the maximum limit of main engine output and propeller diameter which are allowable for the designed ship, to select the geometrical properties of propeller which are adaptable to the wake distribution, or to select alternatively the turning direction of propellers of a twin screw ship.
